When using Internet resources, you must carefully evaluate the source of your information before utilizing its content. Evaluate your websites using the following criteria:
Domain - the quality of information and the type of URL are interrelated. A ".gov" or ".edu" URL is more trustworthy than a ".com" or ".net". A ".org" URL will require deeper investigation, as it then depends on the type of organization.
Authority - Is the author's name visible? What are the author's credentials? Is contact information for the author available?
Currency - Is the website up to date? Websites with information that is updated regularly are preferable to those that are left out-of-date or recycled too often.
Bias - Since anyone can create informational content online, the Internet is often used as a sounding board for thoughts and opinions. Look out for a works cited list and advertisements to evaluate the bias and possible inaccuracies in the information.
Origin - How did you find this source? Was it recommended by a faculty member, cited in a scholarly journal article, or was it linked by another trustworthy website? Where you got this information can indicate how reliable it might be.
Functionality - If the website contains broken links, is difficult to navigate and malfunctions often, then it reflects poorly on the credibility of the information.
